Fair Haven, Vermont camping areas sit primarily at elevations between 400-600 feet in the slate valley region along Lake Bomoseen. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-80°F with cooler nights in fall when temperatures can drop into the 40s. Most campsites near Fair Haven remain open from mid-May through mid-October, with limited facilities available during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Hiking from campsites: Several campgrounds offer direct trail access for hiking. Gifford Woods State Park Campground features the Appalachian Trail running directly through the grounds with multiple day hike options. One visitor noted, "You can hike up to Deer Leep, around Kent Pond, or to Thundering Falls right from the campground."
Fishing opportunities: Lake Bomoseen and nearby ponds provide various fishing experiences. At Half Moon Pond State Park Campground, fishing directly from waterfront sites is possible, though one camper mentioned, "The pond is very weedy, so fishing was not so great, but the hiking trails around the park were fun."
Boating and paddling: Several lakes support motorized and non-motorized watercraft. Lake St. Catherine State Park Campground is "known by anglers and boaters alike" according to a reviewer, who also noted the "excellent beach" that accompanies the lake access.
Mountain biking: The slate valley region features developing trail networks. A camper staying at Lake St. Catherine mentioned, "Plentiful mountain bike trails are being developed all over this area. Pine hill in Rutland, and the Endless brook trails top the list of systems in the area to check out."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Direct water access from campsites ranks highly among visitor preferences. At Half Moon Pond State Park Campground, one camper appreciated that "Sites are a good size and we were able to snag a water front site which was really beautiful. There are also lean-to sites and some cabins. We fished and kayaked right from our site."
Quiet atmosphere: Smaller state parks offer more peaceful settings. A reviewer at Half Moon Pond observed, "The park is small, quiet and very well cared for. Restrooms are modern and clean. Everyone seems to adhere to quiet hours so it was easy to get a good night's sleep."
Clean facilities: State park bathhouses consistently receive positive comments. At Emerald Lake State Park Campground, visitors commented that "facilities were great" and "restrooms are about average for state parks. They were definitely cleaned daily."
Swimming options: Beaches at various parks provide swimming opportunities. One camper at Emerald Lake wrote, "It's an awesome park for kids, and the turquoise water is a dream to cool off in. There's a small, sandy beach at one end of the lake, with a bath house and changing rooms nearby."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate on restricted schedules. Rogers Rock Campground runs "from May 19 to October 9" according to its information page, while Emerald Lake remains open "Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend."
Cell service variability: Coverage is inconsistent throughout the area. At Lake Bomoseen KOA, multiple reviewers noted communication challenges: "There is NO cell coverage and the Wi-Fi is poor and very slow if you can connect," and another confirmed, "Cell service is very limited. Very remote."
Site privacy differences: Campground layouts vary significantly in terms of site spacing. A camper at Emerald Lake noted, "Sites are on top of each other but some are more spacious and away from the others," while at Lake Bomoseen KOA someone reported, "Site we had was small, on a corner, not one bit of privacy."
Shower costs: State parks typically charge for showers. At Emerald Lake, campers are advised "Don't forget to bring quarters for the shower," a common feature across Vermont state parks.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Swimming areas with gradual entry work best for children. A visitor to Bomoseen State Park Campground shared, "We stayed 2 nights me my mom and 7 kids all my moms grandkids... our spot was close to the beach which had a fantastic park it was clean not busy at all."
Lean-to options: These structures provide extra protection from elements. At Emerald Lake, a visitor explained, "Leantos at this state park give you protection from the elements - mind you not all sites have a leanto... We also drove 10 minutes to nearby Danby for horse-riding at Mountain View Ranch which is a good break from soaking in water every day."
Nature exploration: Multiple parks feature accessible trails for children. Bomoseen State Park has "a boardwalk path through the marsh" that one reviewer highlighted for family exploration. Another noted its overall quality as "fun camping for the family."
Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on proximity to facilities. A family staying at Emerald Lake recommended: "Larchmont is our favorite camp site. It is much larger than most sites, a short walk to the showers and a bit tucked away for privacy. We had two tents set up there, which is impossible for most sites."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most state parks have minimal or no RV utilities. At Moose Hillock Camping Resorts just across the state line, full hookups are available, and a reviewer noted, "The sites at this park are huge. You could have parked three RVs in our site."
Site size variations: Larger rigs require careful site selection. One RVer at Lake Bomoseen KOA mentioned, "The campground is ok. It was a little tight for our 36ft 5th wheel but manageable. The sites are a good size and relatively level."
Dump station access: Some parks provide sanitary dumping without full hookups. While many Vermont state parks have dump stations, their availability may be limited during shoulder seasons.
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